As the battle grew increasingly intense, Yang Xiong truly began to realize the terror of a Limit Douluo. In terms of physical strength, the current Slaughter King was likely no longer just a Level 99 Limit Douluo—he had probably reached a semi-divine level.
Although the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King couldn't use Tang Chen's martial soul or soul skills, nor his self-created techniques, its sheer physical power alone was enough to suppress everyone.
At this moment, Yang Xiong seemed to think of something and shouted loudly: "Focus on using spirit-based attacks against him—he won't be able to hold out for much longer."
With that, Yang Xiong's eyes turned crimson, and a blood-red beam shot out from them—it was the evolved version of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye: Asura Divine Light.
The Slaughter King's eyes also emitted an eerie glow, and the entire space seemed to hum with a peculiar buzzing sound, reminiscent of the bat screeches Yang Xiong had encountered on the Hell Road.
The two beams collided in mid-air, causing Yang Xiong to retreat several meters. However, the Slaughter King emitted another screech, this time with a hint of mournfulness in its tone.
Yang Xiong's Asura Divine Light was infinitely stronger than the Purple Extreme Demon Eye—it was unleashed through the evolution of his martial soul and carried an endless aura of slaughter.
Sword Elder and the others exchanged glances and immediately sprang into action.
Whether it was Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, or even Sword Elder, all three were top-tier Title Douluos capable of launching spirit-based attacks, and each possessed a head soul bone.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao quickly activated their head soul bone abilities, emitting radiant bursts of light from above their heads. Meanwhile, Sword Elder unleashed a terrifying sword intent.
After activating their spirit-based soul skills, the Slaughter King began to falter, only able to emit piercing screeches as a blood-red glow from his head resisted the group's attacks.
Even though the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King was an unknown mythical beast, it couldn't withstand the combined spiritual assault of four top-tier experts.
Suddenly, the Slaughter King let out a long, piercing shriek: "You worthless ants—I'll make sure you all die!"
With that, soul energy surged across his body. The demonic patterns covering his face began to shift subtly, and his blood-red eyes gradually turned black. The evil aura around him dissipated, replaced by an overwhelmingly pure killing intent—far stronger than Yang Xiong's.
Previously, the Slaughter King had used claw-like hands to fend off Yang Xiong and the others' attacks. Now, however, he reverted to a pair of massive palms, his presence becoming indescribably overwhelming. In that instant, his power seemed to rival even that of the Sea God Douluo, Poseidon.
A blood-red figure surrounded the Slaughter King, and the red glow in his hand gradually transformed into a massive Hao Tian Hammer.
Both Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's faces changed drastically—the person before them bore an identical resemblance to their great-grandfather, Tang Chen. It was now clear that the Slaughter King was indeed Tang Chen.
But the Hao Tian Hammer in the Slaughter King's hand flickered briefly before transforming into a blood-red longsword.
Gripping the blood-red sword, the Slaughter King merged the red glow surrounding him into one cohesive force, exuding a destructive aura that seemed capable of obliterating heaven and earth.
Yang Xiong roared: "This guy is going all out—we need to give it our all to suppress him if we want any chance of saving Tang Chen!"
The Slaughter King now held the Asura Demon Sword in both hands. Even the numerous experts present could sense that this single strike had the potential to destroy everything.
Tang Xiao gritted his teeth, channeling an immense killing intent into his Hao Tian Hammer. His nine forbidden techniques of the Hao Tian Sect, which he had used against Tang Chen earlier, now seemed to fuse together into their ultimate form: the Killing Word Technique.
Sword Elder activated his eighth soul ring, and the Seven Kill Sword split into twelve sword shadows, each radiating immense power. These shadows gradually merged into a colossal sword that charged toward the Slaughter King—this was Sword Elder's eighth soul skill: Mountain-Shaking Seas-Overturning Strike.
Compared to Tang Xiao and Sword Elder, Tang Hao's expression was grim. He understood that this strike was critical—if successful, they might save Tang Chen; if not, the blow to the Hao Tian Sect would be catastrophic.
Tang Hao's five soul rings exploded, and his Hao Tian Hammer grew to an enormous size, smashing down like a mountain—this was the Hao Tian Sect's inherited soul skill: Great Nirvana Hammer.
Seeing everyone giving their all, Yang Xiong clenched his teeth and activated his eighth soul ring. His body seemed infused with a unique power, creating a blood-red world within hundreds of meters. Yang Xiong became the master of this domain, and a blood-red figure launched a devastating attack against the Slaughter King.
This was Yang Xiong's fully unleashed second ability of his eighth soul ring: Asura Blood Prison. It suppressed enemies while doubling his mental power and other attributes.
Under the combined full-force attacks of the five, the entire world seemed to tremble, as if space itself were colliding.
The Hao Tian Hammer, Seven Kill Sword, Asura Demon Sword, and even the massive Asura phantom echoed through the heavens and earth.
Even with Yang Xiong's formidable strength, he was still blasted back. Tang Hao, who had consecutively shattered five soul rings, was similarly repelled, leaving a massive crater hundreds of meters wide.
At the center of this crater knelt the Slaughter King.
The Slaughter King was in dire straits. His body flickered with waves of red light, his face contorted with pain, struggle, ferocity, confusion, and resolve in alternating flashes.
Yang Xiong understood clearly—the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King could no longer fully suppress Tang Chen, allowing Tang Chen's spirit to retaliate. Two opposing forces now battled within Tang Chen.
If the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King regained control, reoccupying Tang Chen's body, their mission would fail completely, and the five who came to the Slaughter City would be in grave danger.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth and retrieved a deep azure crystal from his body—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Under Yang Xiong's Slaughter Domain, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud instantly expanded, emitting boundless blue light that enveloped the Slaughter King. This was the second ability of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud: Cosmic Stasis Barrier.
The Cosmic Stasis Barrier could control enemies using mental power, restraining anyone whose mental strength was within three times Yang Xiong's own.
Now that Yang Xiong's mental power had reached the Limit Douluo level, he could unleash the full potential of this ability.
Following this, a massive Sea God phantom appeared above the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, wielding the Sea God Trident to attack the enemy—this was the third ability of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud: Cosmic Demon (Magic) Breaker.
(T/N: The character for Demon, '魔', can also be translated to 'Magic')
As Yang Xiong unleashed these two consecutive abilities of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the radiance enveloped the Slaughter King, who let out a pained scream.
In that instant, Yang Xiong felt as though his head was splitting apart, as if he were suffering some kind of backlash. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
But Yang Xiong knew he couldn't retreat now—he pushed the Cosmic Demon Breaker to its limits.
Under the massive blue light, the Slaughter King let out a strange cry. Finally, a blood-red shadow emerged from his body, resembling a gigantic blood-red bat.
Yang Xiong's heart leapt with joy. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud expanded massively, directly enveloping the blood-red shadow. No matter how it struggled, the shadow was eventually sucked into the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Yang Xiong's face lit up with delight—he hadn't expected to capture the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Perhaps this creature would prove useful in the future.
When Yang Xiong finally retracted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the Slaughter King looked surprised: "So it's Vast Sea Power. What connection do you have with the Sea God Island?"
However, the Slaughter King had undergone a drastic transformation. Gone was the cold, evil demeanor, as well as the murderous middle-aged appearance when the Hao Tian Hammer appeared. Now, he looked somewhat aged, and his voice lacked the previous aura of slaughter.
Yang Xiong smiled: "Senior Tang Chen, congratulations on regaining your freedom."
Upon hearing Yang Xiong call his name, the Slaughter King let out a crazed laugh: "Tang Chen… I never thought anyone would still remember me after all these years."
"Did I win or lose? Does it even matter anymore? These decades have been like a nightmare. But even after waking, I still remember the sins I committed. Perhaps this is the punishment for my failure in the Asura trial."
When Tang Hao and Tang Xiao heard this, they rushed to kneel before the Slaughter King.
"Grandfather, you've finally awakened!"
No, at this point, the Slaughter King had completely reverted to Tang Chen.
A trace of gentleness appeared in Tang Chen's gaze: "So it's Hao and Xiao. I never imagined you'd come to the Slaughter City—or that you'd save me. It seems fate has given me one last chance to see my final family."
…
Tang Chen, Tang Xiao, and Tang Hao reunited after so many years, exchanging stories about the changes in the Hao Tian Sect over the years.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong sat with Sword Elder and Yang Wudi, discussing the details of the battle and the situation in the Slaughter City.
As for Ghost Tiger Douluo and Black Snake Douluo, they stood far away, unsure of what to do.
Now that Tang Chen had awakened, and with so many Title Douluos present, they stood no chance of resisting. Even escape was impossible—they couldn't leave Slaughter City.
Especially now that Tang Chen was awake, the Slaughter City had already restricted their abilities, rendering them unable to use their soul skills.
Sword Elder seemed particularly moved. When Tang Chen had wielded the Asura Demon Sword earlier, it had almost suppressed everyone's martial souls. Particularly Sword Elder's Seven Kill Sword had seemed minuscule and filled with instinctive fear in comparison.
Yang Wudi wore a puzzled expression: "What kind of place is this Slaughter City? How can it completely restrict soul skills? Without your Killing God Domain, it feels like we've become ordinary people."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Old Goat, isn't your Breaking Clan known as the fighting clan? Aren't you called a battle maniac? What do you think of this place? Isn't it perfect for you?"
Yang Wudi: …
After both sides had talked for a while, Tang Chen suddenly called out to Yang Xiong from afar: "Young man, was that Vast Sea Power you used earlier? What connection do you have with the Sea God Island?"
Yang Xiong walked over to Tang Chen and the others: "Senior, I did indeed use the power of the Sea God's Heart. I recently returned from training on Sea God Island."
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